The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has also voiced their opposition to the controversial citizenship bill and extended its support to protests raised by various organizations across the north-eastern states, especially Assam against the proposed legislation.
Expressing grave concern over the possible adverse impact of the bill on the State, the NTC through its media cell urged the Central Government to reconsider the bill and not go against the sentiments of indigenous people of the region.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The NTC while lauding the decision of Meghalaya Cabinet to opposing the Bill, also urged the Nagaland government to pass a similar resolution in the interests of the people of the State.
NTC termed the proposed legislation as ‘subjective and communal’ as it stands for the interests of Hindus in particular overriding Indian ‘pluralism and secularism’.
According to NTC, granting citizenship on religious consideration was dangerous and against secular principles of India.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The NTC also stressed that in Assam, where 20 million illegal immigrants from Bangladesh alone are already residing, the new law will only facilitate continuous flow of illegal immigrants to that State and its neighbours.
The NTC was of the view that the apprehension of the people of Assam is obvious given the fact that when the floodgate is opened, indigenous landowners in the State will be ‘overwhelmed by the foreigners’ in due course of time.
While lauding the protests of the people of Assam under the aegis of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) as ‘right and timely’, the council stated that ‘they deserve support from all indigenous communities in the Northeast’.